On the fast-track to stardom and the pride of Youngstown, Ohio, after back-to-back victories over Jermain Taylor three years ago, Pavlik was overwhelmed by Bernard Hopkins in 2008 and last year lost a bloody decision to Sergio Martinez.

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By the end of 2010, it took family intervention to persuade him to finally get help. He entered the Betty Ford Clinic for alcohol rehabilitation.

In addition to reviving his career, Pavlik also needed to rebuild his life. He was on the road to personal and financial ruin.

“I just needed to kick it in the ass before things started going bad, to where I started losing my family and my house,” he said.

Pavlik, who just turned 29, said he hasn't had a drink since Nov. 2, the day before he began his 60-day rehabilitation stint.

He said it wasn't boxing success — he became a millionaire — that drove him to the bottle. He says he just got caught up in a partying lifestyle. He said he's motivated by his wife, his kids, his career — and himself — to stay sober.

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“I worked too hard in my life to get where I am now,” Pavlik said. “I didn't want it to get out of control. Boxing has been a very big part of my life since I was 9 years old. Alcohol isn't.”

San Antonio attorney Michael Miller, Pavlik's co-manager, said he's encouraged by what he's seen so far.

“He seems to have done a 180 (degree turn),” Miller said. “He's been taking his kids to the movies and to the park. He's being a great dad.

“But being an alcoholic, the report card is a daily event. It's all about, ‘Did I take a drink today?' You don't worry about tomorrow.”

It was Pavlik's second trip to the Betty Ford Clinic. Miller said that, hopefully, it will be the last. But only time will tell.

Kirkland fallout: Miller also manages Austin middleweight James Kirkland. He said in the wake of the fighter's first-round TKO loss to Nobuhiro Ishida — knocking Kirkland from the unbeaten ranks — changes had to be made.